I have a 2008 Suburban with the 5.3L Vortec, Engine Code 0. The vehicle is one owner, rolled off the dealer's lot with 7 mi on the odometer, and now at 241,000 miles. The vehicle has been 100% maintained per the owner's manual with Mobil1 full synthetic oil, Top Tier gas, etc. Recently, I started getting code P0521 on the OBD II system. I took it to the dealer as the oil pressure gauge appeared to be functioning properly and the oil level was within range. The dealer told me the engine was end of life and too worn to maintain sufficient oil pressure. The service dept. then launched in with an immediate attempt to sell me a new Suburban, which I politely declined. The vehicle does require multiple top offs of oil between changes, but I have never quantified the oil consumption. The oil consumption has definitely increased as the vehicle has aged. There are no oil leaks. The oil pressure gauge reads slightly above 20 psi at idle and just under 40 psi with normal driving conditions. I would appreciate any thoughts anybody has, as I had really expected this engine to go further. I am taking it to another dealership for a second opinion in the near future. Thanks!

 

What can you do. If it's worn, it's worn. The oil loss gives that away. Maybe it was maintained properly, but maybe it was also driven really hard too. Perhaps it was towing all its life. Hope you didn't pay too much.

 

Sorry, no towing. One owner. Not driven hard.

 

Just to give an idea of my driving style, I average 16.7 mpg long term city/highway combined driving. Engine virtually never over 2,000 rpm. Entire life of vehicle was in a mild climate (south GA, north FL).

 

I once put 309,000 miles on a Chevy 350 V8. It only used half a quart or motor oil between changes.Ran great when I sold it too. You could try a few things. One would be to
replace the valve stem seals as they are likely hard now, and oil will flow them past them and the guides. Further you could install a new oil pump too, but it sounds like your PSI is okay so likely not. Also I have heard of this "engine restorer" as being some good stuff. Might get another 50k out of your motor f it works. If not it wont damage your motor either.

Link:

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Thanks for the tips! The service I got out of this engine just doesn’t seem consistent with so many others’ experiences.

 

Sorry, I just put together that YOU are the only owner. I thought you were posting about a vehicle you just acquired.

Well it's not encouraging is it. 2008 is when GM went bankrupt so they were probably cutting every cost they could.

 

I think your point regarding the GM bankruptcy is quite valid. Thank you.

 

lol you think thats bad but pre-08 vehicles like the 04 imp people had a issue with gm honoring warranties gm response was something to the effect of "thats the old gm, we're not responsible for them"

 

Yes, and that's not right, but corporations have to answer to the stockholders, and the bottom line, that's why many companies try not to honor a warranty. But it works the other way around too. That idiot, Ralph Nader, a lawyer, made Chevy take a beating with the Corvair back in the 1960's, claiming that they were unsafe at any speed. Baloney.

When I was in high-school my folks took the family car to a Chevy dealership for repair, and got a loaner car for free, a Chevy Corvair. I drove it like a mad-man and it was a good car. No braking problems or anything, lots of power too. Hell the VW bug was an unsafe car, not the Corvair.Chevy really pulled the rabbit out of the hat with the Chevrolet Cavalier. They built that car for 23 years, 1982 to 2005. Great small car.